Do you want to enjoy spectacular beaches and landscapes and recharge your batteries with the best seafood in the world? If you do not have much time and want to experience Galicia 100% the Portuguese Way along the coast from Vigo is your Camino.

You will start your Camino in Vigo, which although it is the largest city in Galicia, hides in its narrow streets of the Old Town spectacular views of the Cíes Islands and its biggest secret, the delicious oysters of the Mercado da Pedra.

On your way you will find fantastic beaches and a great wealth of heritage, where you can soak up the history and cultural richness of Galicia. Good proof of this is the Castelo de Soutomaior in Arcade, the seafaring Pontevedra that was once the largest port in Galicia, or the complex of water mills of A Barosa, next to the waterfall of the same name.

A stretch where you can enjoy the tranquility and disconnection that offers one of the alternative detours of the Portuguese Way, enjoying the sea, gastronomy, incredible wines and legendary stories that will allow you to discover more closely the history of this route and its importance in the past of Santiago.

From

245€

Private hostels

245 €

Hostels and pensions

525 €

Hotels

595 €

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Map of the Route

Stages of Portuguese Way from Vigo (5 stages)

Day 1. Arrival in Vigo

The starting point of your Portuguese Way along the coast is located in Vigo. The city of Olívica, a historic town and the largest urban center in Galicia, is famous for more than just its lights: its oysters and its incredible views over the estuary of the same name and the Cíes Islands. Cradle of the movida Vigo, from its old town and the famous Mercado da Pedra you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Ría de Vigo, place of battles with pirates and even inspiration for the king of travel, Jules Verne..

Day 2. Stage Vigo - Arcade (20 km)

Leaving Vigo behind, you will continue along a route that runs along the coast to Redondela, where you will connect with the inland variant of the Portuguese Way. Along the route you can enjoy spectacular views over the Vigo estuary, the Cíes Islands, the huge suspension bridge of Rande or on the other side of the estuary, the Morrazo peninsula. But undoubtedly one of the most curious places you will find in the middle of the estuary: the island of San Simón, its inlet, the wetlands of the area and the small beaches.

Arriving at the end of the stage, in Arcade, you can taste its famous oysters and have all the necessary services for pilgrims.

Day 3. Arcade - Pontevedra (12 km)

You will start the next stage crossing the bridge of Ponte Sampaio, one of the most important bridges in the history of Galicia, since there, over the waters of the river Verdugo, during the War of Independence, a great battle was fought that meant the retreat of the French.

On your Way you will visit villages, pazos, hórreos and cruceiros until you reach the Brea Vella da Canicouva, an evocative path of large slabs along which the Roman road XIX used to pass.

Pontevedra is considered by many Galicians as one of the most beautiful and best preserved cities in Galicia. Nothing better than a stroll through its lively cobblestone squares to get a good idea of this. Its rich heritage places this city in the number two of urban centers with the greatest heritage of the Portuguese Way, only behind Santiago de Compostela. Among its heritage treasures you will find the Ruins of Santo Domingo in the Provincial Museum of Pontevedra, the Royal Basilica of Santa María la Mayor, and the symbol of the city: the church of La Peregrina.

Day 4. Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis (25.3 km)

Not everything in Pontevedra is historical or cultural heritage. Walking towards the other bank of the Lérez River, you will discover one of the most important wetlands in the province, Marismas de Alba. 80 hectares where hundreds of plant species and 123 species of birds coexist just a stone’s throw from the city. From here you will have to pay special attention to your steps, as the route presents a multitude of crossings with roads and level crossings. We recommend extreme caution. On the way to Caldas de Reis we recommend a detour of half a kilometer to visit the beautiful Cascadas del Barosa, a beautiful waterfall of sixty meters where you can find an impressive ethnographic group of fourteen mills.

At the end of the stage, Caldas de Reis awaits you, a thermal village where you can relax on the banks of the Umia River after a pleasant walk through its botanical garden.

Day 5. Caldas de Reis - Padrón (18 km)

Caldas is left behind as you ascend between centenary oaks and cruceiros to the small Santa Mariña de Carracedo, where you can visit its church, with its rectory and its typical hórreo (granary). Then you will go through deep forests with water mills and small villages until you reach Pontecesures. From there, crossing the Roman bridge that leads to the other shore, you will reach the end of the stage, Padrón.

Padrón is the birthplace of one of Galicia’s most prolific writers, the much-loved Rosalía de Castro, of whom by now you will have seen a multitude of images in all kinds of merchandising. She is one of the most illustrious Galician women in history. In his House-Museum in Padrón, you will be able to know everything about his life and work.

It is also a mythical place for the Camino since it was there that Theodore and Athanasius docked with the stone boat carrying the remains of the apostle St. James. In fact, you can visit the famous Pedrón that was used to moor the boat in the church of Santiago, in the same village. And why not? nothing better than tasting some delicious local peppers after the visit, but be careful, of course. ¡itchy!

Day 6. Padrón - Santiago de Compostela (24,3 km)

Last day of your adventure! Ready and energized, we always recommend getting up early to make the most of the day in Santiago de Compostela. 24 kms separate you from the Plaza del Obradoiro, 24 kms that will fly by between the nerves and the excitement of the arrival. The great treasure of this stage will be the first cathedral of Galicia, the collegiate church of Iria Flavia, in whose cemetery, under an olive tree, you will find the humble tomb of the famous writer Camilo José Cela, Nobel Prize winner for literature. You will continue through the municipalities of Teo and Ames until you make your triumphal entry into the Plaza del Obradoiro, a moment you will remember forever from your Portuguese Way along the coast.

You have arrived in Santiago! Enjoy that mix of tiredness and “I eat the world” after completing your Portuguese Way along the coast from Vigo. Pick up your Compostela a few meters from the Plaza del Obradoiro and enjoy an incredible day getting to know the Galician capital, its culture, architecture and gastronomy.

Day 7. End of trip.

Congratulations! You have completed your Portuguese Way along the coast from Vigo. From here on, you are in charge: you can go back home or if you want to discover more about the beautiful Compostela, extend your stay to explore all its secrets.

Do you know that the Km 0 of the Camino is not in Santiago, but in Finisterre? If you have 5 more days, we suggest you to complete your journey to the end of the world by doing the 5 stages that separate 5 stages that separate Santiago to Finisterre. A magical and spiritual route that hides authentic gems such as Ponte Maceira, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. But undoubtedly, the best of this Camino is to enjoy the sunset of the Finisterre lighthouse, one of the most beautiful in the world.